Published: Tuesday, August 6, 2013 at 2:00 a.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, August 6, 2013 at 3:20 a.m.

For Lake Wales' Nadia Zenteno and her 12-under Bartow Intimidators softball teammates, traveling to the 2013 National Softball Association World Series in Williamsburg, Va., was worth all of the work — even if the team finished in seventh place.

The Intimidators, a fast-pitch team made of players from Lake Wales and Bartow, played its way into the event and raised money to fund the trip to Williamsburg from July 22-27.

"It was a really great experience," said Zenteno, 12. "I think all the girls had fun even if we came in seventh, I think we all had a great time."

With 140 teams playing in the tournament, the Intimidators faced plenty of competition. The team navigated through the bracket before falling 2-1 to Lou Gehrig Lasers Gold, a team from New York. Despite the loss, Zenteno saw the experience as a positive, even if the team didn't finish where it had hoped.

"I think it will make us stronger — we played a lot of great teams," said Zenteno, who plays third base. "I know when we have a tournament down here we know what were capable of doing. … We're really dedicated, and everyone was committed to doing everything."

Four Polk County soccer teams traveled to the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Disney in July to compete in the Disney International Cup.

The 225-team tournament saw teams from 16 countries collide July 15-20. Teams from Brazil, Canada, Columbia, Venezuela and the U.S. took part in the open-registration event. Players between the ages of 8 and 18 took to the field, and highlights can be accessed on ESPN3 among other formats.

Among the local teams playing were the U-13 Lakeland FC 00/01 Black, U-14 Lakeland FC/PCFC MFA Hurricane, U-11 Lakeland Futbol Club 1, and U-16 Lakeland Futbol Club 96/97 Girls. A pair of teams from nearby Plant City, U-16 Houston Dynamo White and U-17 Plant City FC 95/96 Premier, also played in the tournament.

Local Karate

Family Martial Arts Inc. in Lakeland put together a strong showing at the seventh annual U.S. Chung Do Kwan Association national championships in Daytona at the Hilton Hotel on July 26-27.

The school took 26 students to the two-day event. The team placed first in a number of categories, ranging from best demo to most students participating. The local participants also saw individuals reach the top 10: Seth Lial (second), Kaithlyn Kelley (third), Jordan Kelley (fourth) and Dee Valderrama (ninth).

Valderrama also took first in the Nights of Champions' forms event.

Checkers Tournament

Checkers players looking for a local tournament will have their chance Saturday.

The Lakeland Parks and Recreation Department is hosting a checkers tournament from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Simpson Park Community Center.

There are three levels of competition — top master, masters and junior master — and the top five in each of the division will be rewarded with trophies

There is a registration fee of $25 per player, which includes lunch. Players can call Marquis Roberts at 863-834-2577.

Table Tennis Tournament

The Lakeland Table Tennis Association will hold a tournament Aug. 9-10 at the Simpson Park Community Center.

<p>For Lake Wales' Nadia Zenteno and her 12-under Bartow Intimidators softball teammates, traveling to the 2013 National Softball Association World Series in Williamsburg, Va., was worth all of the work — even if the team finished in seventh place.</p><p>The Intimidators, a fast-pitch team made of players from Lake Wales and Bartow, played its way into the event and raised money to fund the trip to Williamsburg from July 22-27. </p><p>"It was a really great experience," said Zenteno, 12. "I think all the girls had fun even if we came in seventh, I think we all had a great time." </p><p>With 140 teams playing in the tournament, the Intimidators faced plenty of competition. The team navigated through the bracket before falling 2-1 to Lou Gehrig Lasers Gold, a team from New York. Despite the loss, Zenteno saw the experience as a positive, even if the team didn't finish where it had hoped. </p><p>"I think it will make us stronger — we played a lot of great teams," said Zenteno, who plays third base. "I know when we have a tournament down here we know what were capable of doing. … We're really dedicated, and everyone was committed to doing everything."</p><p>Zenteno was joined in Williamsburg with teammates Jaden Williamson (Lake Wales), Jona Goolsby (Lake Wales), Danielle Karacson (Lake Wales), Kiley Martinez (Lake Wales), Karley Lopez (Bartow), Haley Williamson (Bartow), Hannah Williams (Bartow), Abbi Collins (Bartow) and Sabrina Long (Bartow).</p><p>Local Soccer at Disney</p><p>Four Polk County soccer teams traveled to the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Disney in July to compete in the Disney International Cup.</p><p>The 225-team tournament saw teams from 16 countries collide July 15-20. Teams from Brazil, Canada, Columbia, Venezuela and the U.S. took part in the open-registration event. Players between the ages of 8 and 18 took to the field, and highlights can be accessed on ESPN3 among other formats.</p><p>Among the local teams playing were the U-13 Lakeland FC 00/01 Black, U-14 Lakeland FC/PCFC MFA Hurricane, U-11 Lakeland Futbol Club 1, and U-16 Lakeland Futbol Club 96/97 Girls. A pair of teams from nearby Plant City, U-16 Houston Dynamo White and U-17 Plant City FC 95/96 Premier, also played in the tournament.</p><p>Local Karate</p><p>Family Martial Arts Inc. in Lakeland put together a strong showing at the seventh annual U.S. Chung Do Kwan Association national championships in Daytona at the Hilton Hotel on July 26-27.</p><p>The school took 26 students to the two-day event. The team placed first in a number of categories, ranging from best demo to most students participating. The local participants also saw individuals reach the top 10: Seth Lial (second), Kaithlyn Kelley (third), Jordan Kelley (fourth) and Dee Valderrama (ninth).</p><p>Valderrama also took first in the Nights of Champions' forms event. </p><p>Checkers Tournament</p><p>Checkers players looking for a local tournament will have their chance Saturday.</p><p>The Lakeland Parks and Recreation Department is hosting a checkers tournament from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Simpson Park Community Center.</p><p>There are three levels of competition — top master, masters and junior master — and the top five in each of the division will be rewarded with trophies</p><p>There is a registration fee of $25 per player, which includes lunch. Players can call Marquis Roberts at 863-834-2577.</p><p>Table Tennis Tournament</p><p>The Lakeland Table Tennis Association will hold a tournament Aug. 9-10 at the Simpson Park Community Center.</p><p>The 2013 Florida Orange Blossom Classic's sandpaper singles event Aug. 9 will cost $3 per competitor. The doubles event, also Aug. 9, is $8 per player. </p><p>Players can register for both of the Friday events. The Colossal Round Robin Singles portion runs Aug. 10 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and costs $43.</p><p>Interested players can register online on the association's website at www.floridatt.com/lakelandtt/news.php.</p><p>Local Bull Rider </p><p>Local cowboy Drew Lynn competed in the Cheyenne County Fair in Sidney, Neb., last month. A Polk City native, Lynn finished third overall in the bull riding competition.</p><p>[ Brady Fredericksen can be reached at 863-802-7553 or brady.fredericksen@theledger.com. ]</p>